A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security service in central Kyiv, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy saying the attack directly targeted the office of the agency’s chief.
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in central Kyiv on Friday, hitting a building that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said had been deliberately targeted, as Moscow continued a sustained aerial campaign against the Ukrainian capital.
Zelenskyy said the drone hit the SBU’s main building on Volodymyrska Street, opposite the historic St Sophia Cathedral. He said the strike targeted the office of acting SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad.
Poklad was not in his office when the drone hit, according to Ukrainian media reports. A fire broke out at the building, while emergency crews and ambulances rushed to the site as thick black smoke rose over central Kyiv.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko initially reported five people injured. Later, he said the number had risen to seven, with six of those wounded receiving treatment in city hospitals.
Zelenskyy ordered the SBU to prepare a strong response, saying Ukraine should seek to replicate the strike against Russia where possible. He said Ukraine’s military would support the retaliation.
The attack comes as Russia has expanded daytime drone operations against Kyiv, following repeated overnight strikes. Ukrainian officials and international reports have noted the increasing use of fast-moving, jet-powered drones, which can be more difficult for air defences to intercept.
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The strike also comes amid renewed diplomatic activity aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. US representatives are expected to engage with both Kyiv and Moscow, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently said there remains a possibility of reaching an agreement.
At the same time, tensions have intensified over aviation security. Russia has complained to the UN aviation agency ICAO after Zelenskyy warned that Russian airspace had become unsafe because of Ukrainian drone activity. Moscow condemned his remarks, while ICAO called on countries to ensure the safety of civilian aviation.
With inputs from agencies